Lugazi violence: why always SC Villa fans?

Apr 13, 2012

POLICE has so far arrested one person and soccer governing body FUFA has also promised serious punitive measures following Tuesday’s Bell Uganda Super League violence in Lugazi

By James Bakama and Norman Katende

POLICE has so far arrested one person and soccer governing body FUFA has also promised serious punitive measures following Tuesday’s Bell Uganda Super League violence in Lugazi.

FUFA yesterday stressed that action would be taken today against whoever was behind the chaos that left scores of people injured, including two journalists. One fan only identified as Ngobi is held at Lugazi Police station.

Both the referees and match commissioners reports have reportedly pinned SC Villa fans for the abandonment of the match between the Jogoos and URA, impeccable sources have revealed.

The match was abandoned after 71 minutes.

URA were leading 3-1 when Villa fans, protesting a penalty leading to the taxmen’s third goal, started pelting match officials with stones. Security personnel intervened with rubber bullets and teargas that clouded Mehta Stadium.

After some calm had returned, Villa said they could not continue with play due to teargas effects.

FUFA’s Competitions Committee will base its decision on referee Fred Mufta and match commissioner Charles Masembe’s reports.

“The reports will determine the action to be taken,” said committee secretary Decolas Kizza during a press conference at Mengo.

“In case it is a force majeure (natural causes), the match has to be replayed but if it was abandoned due to other causes, then action should be taken on the club that led to the abandonment,” explained Kizza.

An unidentified man helped Police control riotous fans in Lugazi. But who was he?

Questions are however being raised as to why the most severe stadium violence has lately always involved the Jogoos.
Villa fans were last season at center stage of a brawl that had URA’s assistant coach Ibrahim Kirya severely beaten.

Another incident had Villa fans fighting and looting in Masaka resulting in arrests.

The trend has prompted queries as to whether what was once considered as the most organised clubs is losing control of its fans.

A recent fans meeting turned rowdy with some of the team’s faithful questioning the executive and manager Mike Mutebi’s control.

Efforts to get a comment from Villa fans’ coordinator Dennis Mbidde and club president Fred Muwema yesterday were futile.

Others have attributed Villa’s riotous nature to the fact that URA has over the past three seasons made massive signings from Villa Park.

The militant trend can also be attributed to the club’s long trophyless stretch. 


(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});